Idea for the spilt trackday group. If enough of us show interest in it, that we take over a whole group at at day and choose what is allowed in. Years a go, we did that for a fireblade only session. The track day company took the money and did everything normally, we just had a group for us. My suggestion, is to put a poll on the next q&a, asking if people are interested. :)
Hey Michael, I love your channel and even my wife, who isn't into motorcycles, enjoys watching your videos. I am 51 years old and have only been riding for 5 years. I started on a 2019 MT-07 and traded that in for a 2024 Street Triple 765 Moto2 edition. I don't have any fun roads around where I live so I got to as many track days as I can, about 10 a year and I recently moved up to the intermediate group (but am at the tail end in terms of pace). My bike is brilliant and far more capable than I am, so I am not looking to change bikes because it is "holding me back" but more to just try different bikes. Besides looking to get a dual-sport to really expand my riding, for street and track riding the new 2025 BMW S1000R has caught my eye. However after watching your review of that bike from a few years ago you didn't particularly like it on track due to it's dynamic suspension. You praised the Street Triple's handling in a review last year but am curious how you might compare the two. Unfortunately where I live there is very little opportunity to test ride most bikes so I need to gather what I can online. Thanks, Shawn
Track day categories have always risked being arbitrary and potentially dangerous 1 Competence 2 Risk tolerance 3 Mechanical potential/power I imagine a three part Venn diagram, there isn’t always much correlation between the three. It’s up to track day providers to be more creative to keep their industry healthy.
Maybe… I’m a A class trackday rider but did an intermediate trackday earlier this summer because it has been awhile since I’ve been on the track. There were corners that I had 50+mph corner speed difference which can definitely get a little sketchy. A novice 600 rider and an advanced 600 rider can have a speed differential that someone on a 1k vs a 300 can have. Maybe for novice and intermediate but I think advanced should be left as is.
As a rider who has a Yamaha R3 as a track bike, I totally agree. I've never felt that the R3 is underpowered on the track from both a fun or learning perspective. But it sure can be disconcerting having litre bikes blast past at twice the speed.
This doesn’t work. I can’t tell you how many times people on V4S’, S1000RRs etc think they are B or A group riders and they are not. They are slow and only know how to go fast on the straights. And then if you’re on anything slower like an R3 or R6, it’s impossible to pass and they just park it in the corners. Ruins the experience for faster riders on slower bikes. What there should be is a qualification process that happens at the beginning of the track day. That’s what Race Pace, an organization down here in Southern California does. They require you to qualify a specific time depending on your bike class and experience. This ensures that you’re fast enough regardless of what bike your ride to be the mix with other people at the same speed and skill level. It works really well and it’s my favorite organization to ride with.
Hey, the thing that stuck with me was from Keith Code's book. He goes, "look AROUND the door". Like peeking around a doorjamb into a room. When that head movement came into place, everything south of that felt waaaay more natural. I dunno how much of that book still applies, bikes are much better things now, 30 (?) years later.
Thanks for making Sundays a little more special with your videos👍🏻 Trackdays in the 90s and noughties - you'd ride there, have a day of fun and ride home, basic as you like. Now everyone has generators, slicks, 200hp, special vans etc.......not for club racing, for a trackday ! How about a road bike only trackday, in power related groups ?
Regarding wearing a race suit in public, I've noticed when you unzip a two-piece suit it looks more casual than when you unzip a one-piece. If you own a one-piece, a wind breaker top over it also makes it look more casual in my opinion.
I enjoy taking my MT-09 on track and find myself in the situation you're describing where I end up faster in the corners only to be reeled in by slower riders on liter bikes on the straights and it is frustrating. When this happens I'll typically take a hot pit to break the back-and-forth. It only takes a few seconds and gets me back to having fun more safely.
Hey Neevesy, lovin your videos. Thinking of "Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday" Is there or was there a Superbike that was a bad road bike but a great race bike and vice versa? If so what were they? PS When are you going to team up with the other RUclips Bike reviewers for a weekend group test like the old days. 44Teeth, Bikeworld, FastBikes...... I remember watching those DVDs over and over........ Keep up the great work!
People always comment on my tyres at meets (road rider). Smoothness on the brakes and throttle really make the difference, plus chicken strips from using body position on the road to get the bike turned fast mid-corner.
I used to have a Caterham but when I stopped doing track days, sprints and hill climbs, I found I couldn’t enjoy it properly on the road. That’s when I got in to bikes.
Love this edition as per usual Neevsey. I got interested in my rear brake for road riding since you’ve mentioned it several times here. Was wondering if you could do a masterclass on rear brake use to settle a bike in corners. Thank you!! 😊
Maybe the answer to expensive track days is mini GP bikes on kart tracks which I only done my first one a 55, so much fun , more track time than you know what to do with and no problem getting your knee down😎
Hi Neevesy, Thanks for all the videos and top wisdom always love them. I've a quick question on winter / cold weather tire pressures. I've heard people talking about dropping pressures in the cold, but am always inclined to leave them at manufactures set pressures. Just wondered if there was any truth in the topic at all. Cheers J.
Saw an ad in Bike magazine for the CBT before the law changed (1996) and that was it. Lost interest in cars virtually overnight after I got my 600SS a few weeks later. Thought you went down a rabbit hole last time out with that 1098 question. Anyway, the 999 was their most successful race winning bike up till now I believe with the V4.
Planning on doing a trip to the Ring as my 1687th midlife crisis. I've bought an MT07 for the journey. Any tips on getting there, when I'm there, what tyres are best for a tour and a couple laps? Also planning on a trip to the Pico's at another date
Hi Michael, love your channel... please don't ever change the recipe, it's perfect. :) I'm looking for a stablemate with a different flavour to join my Gen3 MT09 SP and considering a somewhat unexpected option.. I very much enjoy enduro riding and looking for something road legal... and dare I say it.. electric. 😬 I've been looking at the new enduro version of the Stark Varg, known as the EX and was wondering if you would ever test something like this? Its a 80bhp 120kg, 450 sized road legal electric enduro bike with integrated turn signals, lights and horn. It's aprox 3-4 hour run time for slower to med paced enduro type riding isn't perfect but would probably be enough for me and my own needs. Why electric? Its simplicity, miinimal Maintenance time/costs compared to typical IC bikes.. but the main factor is that I can take it many, many more places offroad that I ever could on a noisy IC bike without having the police called on me. Here in Scotland we do not have anywhere near the same 'Green laning' access to lanes and land, so being quiet and stealthy makes a huge difference to how the public react to your presence in rural areas. I feel like a defector considering electric its advantages just seem to be strongly outweighing the IC option... for my use scenario at least. Will we ever see you test one? Am I crazy? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.. TIA.
Hello Michael! I love your Q&A videos and I find them very informative and entertaining to watch. I have a more controversial question for you and the viewers: What is your opinion on BMW's GS bikes, more specifically the 1200 or the 1250? I have friends who swear by them and would not ride anything else, saying that it's the best bike they've ever ridden, on the other hand, people like myself, don't find them interesting enough to invest the money and time to acquire one. I much prefer a naked bike to any sport touring one and I have done hundreds of kms in a day on a naked bike without breaking a sweat. I have ridden the 1250 for a number of days in a row while I rented one in Croatia and find the bike to be the "Skoda station wagon" of motorbikes, does a couple of things well but is a master of one. Why is that they have this cult following worldwide? I'm I missing something? Thank you and keep up the good work! Best regards Stefan.
Stefan. I agree. I had a Fireblade at the time and I test rode the GS1200 and Honda VFR1200. I thought the GS was a plodder, typical twin which gets going quick enough but runs out of revs compared to a 4 cylinder sports bike. I only tried it in the city before some van driver drove into the back of it at a T junction where i was stuck behind 2 other vans waiting to get out. But i agree, not very exciting. Upright, comfortable position, but not exciting enough for me at the time. The VFR1200 is 170bhp, fast and comfortable. It's like between a superbike and a sports tourer. I tried the DCT version, the dual clutch automatic with thumb buttons for manual gear changes. Wow, absolutely shocked that it changed really quickly and smoothly, and at the right time. Again it was a test ride but I tried it on A roads, roundabouts, and town. Really liked it because it was powerful, smooth, good quality, comfortable and cornered well. The new Kawasaki Ninja Z1000SX looks like a great bike, in my humble opinion. Hoping Honda will fair the new Hornet CB1000 soon to compete with the Kawasaki and Suzuki 1000s. What are you wanting to try?
Interesting vid as ever. Thoughts on the Suzuki boss saying in his MCN interview that Suzuki are bringing back Supersport at this year's EICMA? Amazing news or too good to be true in your opinion?
I was a car nut, I've had more than 50. But like you I've fallen out of love with cars, they don't interest me anymore. I remember going up Manston Loop and the mad mile, sometimes it was crazy.
What we really want is a scooter only track evening one class for skiving pizza delivery boys another for the daily riders, ie top box muffs and skirts with another class for the pure and unadorned.
Hey Neevesy. Great video, one of your best Q&A's, full of great info. Just got Road 6 on GSX8S, night and day compared to the terrible tyres it came with from new. Will try the correct cornering technique, but it can be hard to change. 🙃 Track closing speed sounds challenging! Heading on one of those Euro track days in April with my old SV650S. I believe they have transponders so they will group us with similar times. Question: On track with a slower bike should I be doing U shaped corners to maintain speed rather than the V shaped, or is it corner specific? On my local track I have found quick turning good on sharper corners and the U shaped better on the long sweepers. Thanks for these videos. Cheers.
Completely right about track day groups, I watched the Ducati track day at Donington from the entry to the Foggy Esses and the difference in speed on the straight between say a V4 Panigale and a (well ridden) 748/916 is massive, and Donington straights are short.
Hello Mr nerves,firstly,thankyou for the brief chat at suzuki live,I love the videos,very informative,I've learned alot from them,a question if I may,why have manufacturers never made a proper motogp replica,I know there is the honda rcv,I'm thinking more in the lines of a body kit,forget exotic engines,cost is way to prohibitive,a fire blade with a motogp replica body work kit on for me would be fantastic,or any of the litre + bikes,maybe even a moto 2/3 rep,I'd like to hear your thoughts and opinions,keep up the fantastic videos
Bang on Neevesy about the fast cars, when my kids were young I had an XJ then an S class Merc, then a V10 Audi S6. I blame you lot for introducing me to the then new BMW S1000. I had to buy one after 4 years without my big bike and as my kids were older I wasn't using my V10 much but it was still £600+ a year road tax. Sold it and got a KTM 1290 SDR
hi neevesy thank you for all the great mcn reviews over the years and now great RUclips content and advice , just wondering what your thoughts are on part worn tyres if your on a budget , I only ever ride two's up with the wife so my tyres tend to square off relatively fast hence the money saving on tyres , my past few sets of tyres have all been part worn metzeler roadtech z8 as they are my favourite tyres but as a whole what's your thoughts on part worn or professionally plugged puncture repaired tyres , thanks
In regards of closing speed on track. The most bizarre experience i had was when i was riding the lower intermediate group in Eastern Creek on my Gixxer 600. One of the organizers joined the group in the afternoon as group number strated to drop. He was riding a stock standard S1000RR. He lapped me twice in the 20 min session 😂😂.. He always overtook everyone safely, but the speed difference was ridiculous..
Agree re trackdays, trying to have a blast and learn how to ride the pants off my 675 getting stuck behind a 1000 is a pita. Held up but can't pass safely either. MCN trackdays maybe?
Hi Michael, great content as usual. I am looking into getting an airbag vest for road riding and would be interested in your experiences with them , for example tethered or untethered, comfort , do you still use a back protector under it. Do you use air jacket or separate vest. Any tips greatly appreciated.
Hi Neevsy, could you talk about body position differences when leaning on different types of bikes? I started out riding sports bikes (Ninja 400, '11 GSX-R600, '13 CBR600RR) and have been doing so for a few years and now I'm on a naked ('13 STR 675). I can't seem to find a body position that just feels "right" when leaning on the naked bike whereas it came quite naturally to me on a sports bike. Thanks for making these videos!
Knee down at 12:29 omg totally agree. Did the Rocket Ron Haslam Race School because I wanted to try the track but also was a bit scared :-)) Told the nice instructor I'd like to improve and get me knee down. Like you, he said to sit 1 cheek off the bike, upper body forward, elbows bent, bringing myself over the front of the bike, and put leg out a bit. That position, moving the upper body more forward and round to the side made the difference. Almost touched down, he through I had. Next track day at Brands Hatch, the little slow hairpin, touched my knee down several times at about 35-40 mph. Body forward and round, cheek off, made the difference. Thanks for more fun great advice.
Hi Neevesy. Thanks for all the awesome content and advice over the years. I had a question about Sport Touring tires (or tyres if you prefer). I currently ride a 21 Tuono V4 in the Canyons (although i probably won't ride for a while due to the terrible fires here). I ride at a brisk but manageable pace and love the recent Rosso 4s I installed and how light and agile they make the bike feel, but i think they may be overkill for my riding and i don't love getting only 3000 miles on the rear. any suggestions for sport touring tires that might get me 6k+ miles, while still having the aggressive + nimble Rosso 4 shape/performance? I know you love the SE 01s, and I was looking at the conti road attack 4 perhaps, which seem to be made for bikes like mine? thanks so much!
Thanks Michael another good one. Re Knee Down, you really should not be so modest as I remember watching a video you made on how to do that and you made it look so easy. Not that I ever managed to do it as I knew if I did the rest of the bike would follow. However I have raced a former Moto GP star ! Wife and I went out for a ride on the 1100 Pan European we owned and we got into the local lanes and got behind a biker giving it the beans so pride told me to keep up with him. Now you will know where I mean when I tell you we were coming into Edenbridge and the biker decides to turn into an industrial estate where I knew Suzuki were so I followed him to where he stopped. There were a few lads there and as the Biker took his lid off I saw it was Daryl Beatty. One of his mechanics had just built a bike and DB had taken it out for a test ride. Just as well the late Gary Taylor wasn't there as the only safety gear DB had on was his lid. But at least I have a biking claim to fame. Stay safe.
Hey Neevesy! Question for you. While I want to learn to ride faster, I also want to avoid hurting myself (and potentially others) and wasting thousands of pounds, via a lowside or highside on a trackday. The fear of this is definitely part of what leads to some of my pre-trackday nerves and maybe that's true for others too. It would be great to feel as much excitement about a trackday as possible knowing I've prepared as well as I can to avoid a crash. Would you be able to offer some general rules - from bike preparation to riding tips - on how to ride so as to minimise the chance of lowsiding and highsiding? Obviously you can't stop someone from running into you, but you can control how you ride and prepare - keen to hear your thoughts. (A separate question would be what gear to get to protect yourself if the worst happens, but I feel the rule of 'the best you can afford', and 'ideally an airbag suit', is probably what you'd say here, but let me know). Thanks for all your help! Harry
Thanks Michael. Well, my favourite bike to ride is my V4 Panigale Corse, I've done 25,000 miles on it, and I have an old Ferrari 348 challenge, but like you, I barely use it anymore, much prefer riding my bike. I'm 59 but just love sportsbikes and have always found the V4 Panigale pretty comfortable. I too like evening track sessions, £59 at Cadwell and it's just right for me. Great video as always, thanks.
Hi Neevesy, fairly recent subscriber so may have missed this topic in earlier posts (sorry) but would like your opinion on quickshifters please. Trackdays, yes and riders with physical issues, yes. But to me I think they take away part of the riding experience and so never use them. Am I potentially going to cause problems to the bike in the future for not using them? Cheers, Ade.
Hiya Neevsey, I’m going on a road trip late May on k5 750. The plan is to go into France and base ourselves around Massif Central. Have you rode around there and if so how did you find the roads? Thanks for all the great content you bring on the weekly.
Best car i ever had was a fiat 126, (650cc twin) called "the fridge". Not the most reliable or safest, but great fun in traffic laden Essex and at time I had Goldwing 1500 😅
Funnily enough I’ve had the exact same thoughts on cars as you mentioned. Because i work from home now I sold my last car a couple of years ago (m140i) so that I could buy another bike. Now we just have the missus’s Hyundai Kona N (mental). Your question got me going through the memory banks re. what cars we’ve owned - made me wince: Skoda VRS Integra Type R Impreza WRX Boxster S M140i Etc. Like you said, I think I’m done with fast cars on the road now - it does feel very antisocial ‘making good progress’ in a car nowadays (not sure if that’s the times that have changed or just my age 🤣). Cant see me buying another car TBH - but I am saving up for a Van next year for trackday usage! (Never thought I’d be excited at the prospect of buying a Vauxhall Vivaro!)
Hi Neevesy What do you think of the evolving Supersport class now with r9, v2, rc990, and hopefully a daytona 765? Older 4 cylinder bikes and engines were proper race red machines with purposeful chassis and agressive position and high quality parts with great reliability still. Since newer bikes are slightly milder and with more torque, how do you think they will perform against the more traiditional ninja zx636 or cbr600? How do you see the rivalry between the v2 and r9 this year since lately it has always been between the r6 and the older v2? Which one of these bikes would give the best buck for a fun track bike? Thanks.
Hi Neevesy, love the videos, have really been enjoying the series! After quitting racing around 2000, being in the dirt since then, a friend got me back on the track last year. I've got an R6 in the garage now and planning to do some track days this coming summer. I look forward to learning to ride again. I've enjoyed listening to your break down on safest/fastest cornering practice, aka the V corner. When I was racing, I rode slower bikes where it was conserve speed at all costs. But, I can picture the value and function of this strategy in the typical hairpin corner and look forward to learning it. Can you elaborate how this strategy is deployed in a faster, longer corners where you might be on the side of the tire for many seconds? Would the line be to minimize that time on the side by adjusting your entry/exit? Or, is it something else? I can't quite connect how to do the V in those longer corners. Thanks kindly, Aaron
Hi neevesy, always waiting for your next vid these days, best thing on RUclips. I enjoy listening to the tips and trying to understand them to try them out and improve my riding. My question is, if braking correctly (trail braking etc) will I have more grip while cornering if I have a closed throttle with no brakes, or if I was using the front brake (which I think would load the tire and push it into the road for more grip in some situations). And which is best for an unexpected corner or tightening/closing corner. I 'think' I'm right in thinking it will turn faster while using the front brake? This is a road riding question by the way. Thanks a lot 👍 S
Hi neevesy, I found the answer in your cornering tips video from 11 months ago. A video I had already watched 🤦. Which is why I probably thought I knew some of the answer. So I believe it will turn faster with a bit of front brake. Thanks for all the tips , looking forward to the next 👍 cheers 🍻
Hi Neevsey. Your comments on cars rang so true with me. I use to enjoy cars but ever since I've been riding motorcycles, cars have taken a back seat for the reasons you mentioned. I have considered selling one car to replace it with a scooter. The only concern I have is having to ride in the snow, ice and strong winds. How do you deal with this, and what advice can you offer for riding in adverse weather conditions? Regards, Darryl.
Dunno about you mate but I feel like a caged bird in a car these days. Couldnt agree more with your comments, back in the day cars were fun but with cops and traffic nowadays.nah, even in the snow Id rather take two wheels.sold my van 4 bikes ready to go depending on weather and so on.Love the channel and stories. Thank you.
Hey Neevsey. By when can we expect to see a 2025 superbike shootout? Really excited to see how the new v4s and the updated s1000rr and fireblade stack up against each other, particularly on track.
I currently ride a Hypermotard 1100, however, my ideal weekend bike is the Ducati 1098S Streetfighter. Hard to go past that torque, sound and grin factor. How would it stack up against the new Honda Hornet SP? Similar horsepower numbers, both nakeds. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Me too. 12 June 2005, Turn 2 at Barber Motorsports Park, in the second session after lunch. Not that I'm keeping track or anything, but it was my first track weekend. My first (and only) big wheelie was a total accident and I still hate them.
Do you have any advice for motorcycling when you have young children. Concerns are staying safe but also inadverently tempting them into a high risk hobby in the future. I have a 2017 MT10 and 2019 Street Triple but ride quite sensibly on the roads following some IAMs training
Feel absolutely the same in regards to overtaking in a car, I guess it’s an age thing! It seems to take an age getting past only for the guy you past to pull up behind you in the next village and you don’t want to look in your rear view in case you make eye contact. At least on a bike most times your by and gone.
Hey neevesy, I have a question on tire wear. I have a 22 MV Brutale 800, street bike only with mountain roads, and I am noticing the rear I'm using more of the tire but the front it's like I'm barely using it: it looks like about 1.5-2 inches of completely unused tire vs the rear very little unused. I'm not trying to street rossi but rather curious if it's a PSI issue or a characteristic of riding style. Pirelli Rosso 4s, 32F 38R (swingarm specs). On my ninja 400 the wear is usually even front and rear, street and track, so a little confused here.
Baglux Tank Cover Harness & Tank Bag were Very Popular in the 90s For Touring on SportsBikes Colour Matched & Very Practical Don't Know if they are Still Going?
The biggest problem I foresee with trackday groups being split up by bike/power is you end up with the same problem (massive speed differential) from a different source: individual rider skill. Theoretically in the advanced group the guys on slower bikes can get around the guys on faster bikes in the corners because they are all predictable and skilled enough to get around the track safely. There are some providers that don't allow you to sign up for the advanced group without an endorsement to ensure that everyone is skilled enough to be there, but not all orgs do that. Most will let anyone sign up for intermediate without any kind of endorsement, so there are a lot of slow guys with fast bikes out there, like me. I don't have a good solution either though, short of splitting into 9 groups based on bike _and_ skill level and every group only getting 2 or 3 10-minute sessions per day, which is also horrible, due to costing so much. I've also seen the exact same thing you're describing with premium track days in the US. When I go to my local track (Hallett, outside Tulsa, OK), it's usually not sold out. It's generally pretty full, but not like it was 10 or 20 years ago. Meanwhile, when I went to COTA last year, that place was absolutely packed, even at $550 per day. I've never seen that many fluid leaks in one place due to everyone with a Ducati showing up. And I can't really blame them. Where else can they actually use their 200+ bhp fire-breathing Panigale's full power for more than a moment, before almost coming to a complete stop at the end of the straight and blocking the skilled riders in the group.
Hi, on the salt issue I was told that in Germany they use a substitute using urine? It has excellent dicing affects, and better for the environment,and don't rot metal.. I might have received the biggest wind up, but it sounded believable.. Great videos..
I used to carry a tank bag in my long trips all the time, but not anymore. It's absolutely tiring to remove it every time I need to refuel. Last long trip I did was 1800km in 2 days. That's about 9 times to refuel (about every 200km). I can't imagine having to remove the bag so often. These days I carry a leg pouch for my documents and soft bags and waterproof duffel bag on the passenger seat. As for the salt in the road, I think it's a bit counter intuitive, but if you wash the bike all the time it's worse. The water jet will carry the salt into all the hidden places. I think it's better to protect it with a special product before the winter riding and only wash it rarely if ever and re-apply the protection if you do. The bike will look terrible, but I think it'll have less rust.
Hi Neevsey, great video. What are your thoughts on covering the front brake? I tend to do it most of the time as you never know what's going to happen on these ever increasing busy roads.
You forget that a lot of these slow riders on liter bikes are afraid to open the throttle. Yeah, they have the power, but I'm still passing them on the straights and out braking them because they can't use the liter bike's engine. They only crack open the throttle to 120 mph and have no idea how to late brake into the corners.
I grew up on cars, max power era, mid 90s boy racer. Found bikes in my late 30s but still love my cars. Got a sierra cosworth 400hp, 2 x cavaliers with saab turbo engine's running 350hp and a 500hp audi rs4. Theyre great fun and take me back to my youth but power wise dont touch my cbr1000rr road bike or s1000rr track bike.
Neeves I’m a big believer in the rear brake. Is there someone that makes a scooter style brake? I have a RaceTorx on my S1000 but would prefer a scooter style set up.
Do you mean a rear brake lever mounted on the left bar? If so, I saw a new Indian which had one fitted (at the dealers in Chesterfield) for a disabled customer. It was a short lever underneath the clutch lever. I have no idea if it was a kit or cobbled together by the mechanic. It didn’t look out of place which is an achievement in itself what with Indians being works of art
@@neevesybikes which riding jeans do you use? After trying a number of brands, I've settled on Hoods jeans and I am extremely impressed with them. I used to ride every day (now, just a couple or so times a week) and the Hoods jeans have so far lasted 8 years and close to 60,000 miles! They are starting to show signs of use... I'll get another pair next time I'm in the UK.
I've been wearing Bull-It jeans for a good few years now and they're excellent. Really hard wearing and nice balance between being sturdy, but not too bulky.
An interesting tip for protecting your bike during winter riding is to clean it thoroughly, let it dry completely, and then apply a protective coating like ACF50. After that, you can ride through bad weather without the need to wash it again for weeks, if not months. What happens is that road grime and dirt settle on the bike's parts, forming a protective layer against salt and moisture. This natural shield helps prevent corrosion while you ride in harsh conditions. Just be sure to inspect the bike periodically for any issues, especially with components like the chain and brakes.
Anyone know of evening track days in the states? I can't think of any orgs that run late. Neevesy - the way you describe them, it sounds divine... lol.
Great Chanel @neevesybikes You had a really good podcast top tip with Oxley Bom MotoGP podcast which is really good. Is there any great WSBK podcast you would suggest? Like both MotoGP and WSBK, but actually find WSBK and World SSP even more enjoyable and interesting.
$5000nz k5 1000 track bike with a spare set if wheels.. metzler td slicks 6 hole track days & should see the summer out .. 20ltrs for the day & oil change every 2nd day $? .. resale value $? .. im no club racer but have a ball .. $4000 k7 1000 road bike 💕 .. $4k 01 k1-750.. $3k 01 Falco .. mint $4k 01yzf1000 thunderace.. loooove riding them all.. after 35yrs off bikes.. retired💕💕
RS660 is the answer If you want to get thrills without the lunacy of a 1000, I have mine with Ohlins fro t and back with sticky tires and it Checks all the Boxes!
Hello Neevesy, like everyone I keep watching due to the quality content. Thanks for all the hard work!. I have a question that'll turn into a two part epic. I live in Australia but I have a second bike kept in a relo's garage in the UK for my winter (your summer) travels. With this bike I have had three amazing adventures across Europe - actually only the bits of Europe that have mountains, good food & good coffee - all in excess of 10,000 miles each time. Seen many great sights. But do you know what I never really see? UK registered motorcycles. Why don't UK riders get out into Europe and ride? Last summer I saw a group of eight UK registered bikes in the Cevennes (great roads there) they turned out to be Australians touring on rental bikes! Second part may well be the answer to the first, do you think that the general moto-press like MCN & RUclipsr crowd always creating content with the latest high dollar bikes is an inhibitor to folk actually getting on a bike & riding it somewhere? Like you I prefer to tour on sportsbikes so my UK/Europe is a 2000 Triumph TT600. Cost me 2 grand in Pommy Pounds & has needed nothing but tyres & servicing in the 37,000 miles I have put on it. If I had bought a R1300GS or MultiStrudel V$ or a KTM 1390 SuperDuke then I wouldn't have had the money to do those trips. Is this the problem? Folk too tied up in that peculiar PCP finance thing you lot have with silly milage caps, is that it? Thoughts? Cheers.
Hi Neevesy, happy new year. I religiously watch all your videos every week. Do you still recommend V lines with smaller capacity bikes ? The only running motorcycle left in my garage at the moment is my old trusty 2003 Ducati 620 Monster. Its personnal value overcome its financial value, so it’s a keeper. But if I use V line with it I just get stuck into corner because it lacks power and grunt to get out of bends easily. In my opinion, the only way to keep the momentun its « mighty » 60 hp gives you, is to use flowings U lines. Which, you’re right, put you more at risk on public road in case of lack of grip or visibility. If I’m honest I think this bike is particulary tricky to ride at a decent pace (which is part of why I love it). Because you have to be very precise with everything, not only lines. Due to its V twin configuration it has a fair bit of engine braking. If you approach a corner too low in gear, your momentun completly vanish. And you can’t compensate with any grunt to save your exit. I had a Supersport 939 in addition with the Monster for a few years (had to sell it when my daughter was born). And it was way easier to ride properly than the Monster. This reflexion lead me to a question that might sound a bit strange : are bigger capacity bikes safer ? I’m not saying that everyone should start their bike journey with a 200+ hp superbike. But from my experience, a 120 ish hp motorcycle is easier and safer than one with half this output. Cheers, Victor.
Idea for the spilt trackday group. If enough of us show interest in it, that we take over a whole group at at day and choose what is allowed in. Years a go, we did that for a fireblade only session. The track day company took the money and did everything normally, we just had a group for us. My suggestion, is to put a poll on the next q&a, asking if people are interested. :)
Hey Michael, I love your channel and even my wife, who isn't into motorcycles, enjoys watching your videos. I am 51 years old and have only been riding for 5 years. I started on a 2019 MT-07 and traded that in for a 2024 Street Triple 765 Moto2 edition. I don't have any fun roads around where I live so I got to as many track days as I can, about 10 a year and I recently moved up to the intermediate group (but am at the tail end in terms of pace). My bike is brilliant and far more capable than I am, so I am not looking to change bikes because it is "holding me back" but more to just try different bikes. Besides looking to get a dual-sport to really expand my riding, for street and track riding the new 2025 BMW S1000R has caught my eye. However after watching your review of that bike from a few years ago you didn't particularly like it on track due to it's dynamic suspension. You praised the Street Triple's handling in a review last year but am curious how you might compare the two. Unfortunately where I live there is very little opportunity to test ride most bikes so I need to gather what I can online.
Thanks,
Shawn
Track day categories have always risked being arbitrary and potentially dangerous
1 Competence
2 Risk tolerance
3 Mechanical potential/power
I imagine a three part Venn diagram, there isn’t always much correlation between the three.
It’s up to track day providers to be more creative to keep their industry healthy.
Totally agree with your comment on separating track days by power. I think it would be much safer. Separating road bikes from track bikes too.
Exactly!
Maybe… I’m a A class trackday rider but did an intermediate trackday earlier this summer because it has been awhile since I’ve been on the track.
There were corners that I had 50+mph corner speed difference which can definitely get a little sketchy. A novice 600 rider and an advanced 600 rider can have a speed differential that someone on a 1k vs a 300 can have.
Maybe for novice and intermediate but I think advanced should be left as is.
As a rider who has a Yamaha R3 as a track bike, I totally agree. I've never felt that the R3 is underpowered on the track from both a fun or learning perspective. But it sure can be disconcerting having litre bikes blast past at twice the speed.
This doesn’t work. I can’t tell you how many times people on V4S’, S1000RRs etc think they are B or A group riders and they are not. They are slow and only know how to go fast on the straights. And then if you’re on anything slower like an R3 or R6, it’s impossible to pass and they just park it in the corners. Ruins the experience for faster riders on slower bikes.
What there should be is a qualification process that happens at the beginning of the track day. That’s what Race Pace, an organization down here in Southern California does. They require you to qualify a specific time depending on your bike class and experience. This ensures that you’re fast enough regardless of what bike your ride to be the mix with other people at the same speed and skill level. It works really well and it’s my favorite organization to ride with.
Hey, the thing that stuck with me was from Keith Code's book. He goes, "look AROUND the door". Like peeking around a doorjamb into a room. When that head movement came into place, everything south of that felt waaaay more natural.
I dunno how much of that book still applies, bikes are much better things now, 30 (?) years later.
It's something I learnt water skiing, keep your head up and look where you want to go, not where you're going.
Thanks for making Sundays a little more special with your videos👍🏻 Trackdays in the 90s and noughties - you'd ride there, have a day of fun and ride home, basic as you like. Now everyone has generators, slicks, 200hp, special vans etc.......not for club racing, for a trackday ! How about a road bike only trackday, in power related groups ?
Exactly 👍 We’re half way there. They do road bike-only trackdays but they don’t separate out the superbikes yet…
I don't have chicken strips. I have safety margins.
Regarding wearing a race suit in public, I've noticed when you unzip a two-piece suit it looks more casual than when you unzip a one-piece.
If you own a one-piece, a wind breaker top over it also makes it look more casual in my opinion.
Women love it, but their dudes hate it 🤷🏻♂️
I don't care how I look I'm in it for the protection
I enjoy taking my MT-09 on track and find myself in the situation you're describing where I end up faster in the corners only to be reeled in by slower riders on liter bikes on the straights and it is frustrating. When this happens I'll typically take a hot pit to break the back-and-forth. It only takes a few seconds and gets me back to having fun more safely.
Hey Neevesy, lovin your videos. Thinking of "Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday" Is there or was there a Superbike that was a bad road bike but a great race bike and vice versa? If so what were they? PS When are you going to team up with the other RUclips Bike reviewers for a weekend group test like the old days. 44Teeth, Bikeworld, FastBikes...... I remember watching those DVDs over and over........ Keep up the great work!
As always, excellent info. Thank you for sharing with us.
People always comment on my tyres at meets (road rider). Smoothness on the brakes and throttle really make the difference, plus chicken strips from using body position on the road to get the bike turned fast mid-corner.
I used to have a Caterham but when I stopped doing track days, sprints and hill climbs, I found I couldn’t enjoy it properly on the road. That’s when I got in to bikes.
Love this edition as per usual Neevsey. I got interested in my rear brake for road riding since you’ve mentioned it several times here.
Was wondering if you could do a masterclass on rear brake use to settle a bike in corners.
Thank you!! 😊
*usage
Really great info there👍
Maybe the answer to expensive track days is mini GP bikes on kart tracks which I only done my first one a 55, so much fun , more track time than you know what to do with and no problem getting your knee down😎
Hi Neevesy, Thanks for all the videos and top wisdom always love them. I've a quick question on winter / cold weather tire pressures. I've heard people talking about dropping pressures in the cold, but am always inclined to leave them at manufactures set pressures. Just wondered if there was any truth in the topic at all. Cheers J.
Saw an ad in Bike magazine for the CBT before the law changed (1996) and that was it. Lost interest in cars virtually overnight after I got my 600SS a few weeks later. Thought you went down a rabbit hole last time out with that 1098 question. Anyway, the 999 was their most successful race winning bike up till now I believe with the V4.
Great stuff. 👍
Planning on doing a trip to the Ring as my 1687th midlife crisis.
I've bought an MT07 for the journey. Any tips on getting there, when I'm there, what tyres are best for a tour and a couple laps?
Also planning on a trip to the Pico's at another date
Another great vid..thanks for all the gems 🎉🎉🎉
Hi Michael, love your channel... please don't ever change the recipe, it's perfect. :)
I'm looking for a stablemate with a different flavour to join my Gen3 MT09 SP and considering a somewhat unexpected option..
I very much enjoy enduro riding and looking for something road legal... and dare I say it.. electric. 😬
I've been looking at the new enduro version of the Stark Varg, known as the EX and was wondering if you would ever test something like this?
Its a 80bhp 120kg, 450 sized road legal electric enduro bike with integrated turn signals, lights and horn. It's aprox 3-4 hour run time for slower to med paced enduro type riding isn't perfect but would probably be enough for me and my own needs.
Why electric? Its simplicity, miinimal Maintenance time/costs compared to typical IC bikes.. but the main factor is that I can take it many, many more places offroad that I ever could on a noisy IC bike without having the police called on me. Here in Scotland we do not have anywhere near the same 'Green laning' access to lanes and land, so being quiet and stealthy makes a huge difference to how the public react to your presence in rural areas.
I feel like a defector considering electric its advantages just seem to be strongly outweighing the IC option... for my use scenario at least.
Will we ever see you test one? Am I crazy? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts..
TIA.
Hello Michael! I love your Q&A videos and I find them very informative and entertaining to watch. I have a more controversial question for you and the viewers: What is your opinion on BMW's GS bikes, more specifically the 1200 or the 1250? I have friends who swear by them and would not ride anything else, saying that it's the best bike they've ever ridden, on the other hand, people like myself, don't find them interesting enough to invest the money and time to acquire one. I much prefer a naked bike to any sport touring one and I have done hundreds of kms in a day on a naked bike without breaking a sweat. I have ridden the 1250 for a number of days in a row while I rented one in Croatia and find the bike to be the "Skoda station wagon" of motorbikes, does a couple of things well but is a master of one. Why is that they have this cult following worldwide? I'm I missing something? Thank you and keep up the good work! Best regards Stefan.
Stefan. I agree. I had a Fireblade at the time and I test rode the GS1200 and Honda VFR1200.
I thought the GS was a plodder, typical twin which gets going quick enough but runs out of revs compared to a 4 cylinder sports bike. I only tried it in the city before some van driver drove into the back of it at a T junction where i was stuck behind 2 other vans waiting to get out. But i agree, not very exciting. Upright, comfortable position, but not exciting enough for me at the time.
The VFR1200 is 170bhp, fast and comfortable. It's like between a superbike and a sports tourer. I tried the DCT version, the dual clutch automatic with thumb buttons for manual gear changes. Wow, absolutely shocked that it changed really quickly and smoothly, and at the right time. Again it was a test ride but I tried it on A roads, roundabouts, and town. Really liked it because it was powerful, smooth, good quality, comfortable and cornered well.
The new Kawasaki Ninja Z1000SX looks like a great bike, in my humble opinion.
Hoping Honda will fair the new Hornet CB1000 soon to compete with the Kawasaki and Suzuki 1000s.
What are you wanting to try?
Interesting vid as ever. Thoughts on the Suzuki boss saying in his MCN interview that Suzuki are bringing back Supersport at this year's EICMA? Amazing news or too good to be true in your opinion?
I was a car nut, I've had more than 50. But like you I've fallen out of love with cars, they don't interest me anymore.
I remember going up Manston Loop and the mad mile, sometimes it was crazy.
What we really want is a scooter only track evening one class for skiving pizza delivery boys another for the daily riders, ie top box muffs and skirts with another class for the pure and unadorned.
Tmax boys would probably embarrass a few of the sports bike guys though 🤣
Hey Neevesy. Great video, one of your best Q&A's, full of great info.
Just got Road 6 on GSX8S, night and day compared to the terrible tyres it came with from new. Will try the correct cornering technique, but it can be hard to change. 🙃
Track closing speed sounds challenging! Heading on one of those Euro track days in April with my old SV650S. I believe they have transponders so they will group us with similar times.
Question: On track with a slower bike should I be doing U shaped corners to maintain speed rather than the V shaped, or is it corner specific? On my local track I have found quick turning good on sharper corners and the U shaped better on the long sweepers. Thanks for these videos. Cheers.
Completely right about track day groups, I watched the Ducati track day at Donington from the entry to the Foggy Esses and the difference in speed on the straight between say a V4 Panigale and a (well ridden) 748/916 is massive, and Donington straights are short.
Hello Mr nerves,firstly,thankyou for the brief chat at suzuki live,I love the videos,very informative,I've learned alot from them,a question if I may,why have manufacturers never made a proper motogp replica,I know there is the honda rcv,I'm thinking more in the lines of a body kit,forget exotic engines,cost is way to prohibitive,a fire blade with a motogp replica body work kit on for me would be fantastic,or any of the litre + bikes,maybe even a moto 2/3 rep,I'd like to hear your thoughts and opinions,keep up the fantastic videos
Bang on Neevesy about the fast cars, when my kids were young I had an XJ then an S class Merc, then a V10 Audi S6. I blame you lot for introducing me to the then new BMW S1000. I had to buy one after 4 years without my big bike and as my kids were older I wasn't using my V10 much but it was still £600+ a year road tax. Sold it and got a KTM 1290 SDR
hi neevesy thank you for all the great mcn reviews over the years and now great RUclips content and advice , just wondering what your thoughts are on part worn tyres if your on a budget , I only ever ride two's up with the wife so my tyres tend to square off relatively fast hence the money saving on tyres , my past few sets of tyres have all been part worn metzeler roadtech z8 as they are my favourite tyres but as a whole what's your thoughts on part worn or professionally plugged puncture repaired tyres , thanks
I only have a 125…but would love a track day on it…
In regards of closing speed on track.
The most bizarre experience i had was when i was riding the lower intermediate group in Eastern Creek on my Gixxer 600.
One of the organizers joined the group in the afternoon as group number strated to drop.
He was riding a stock standard S1000RR.
He lapped me twice in the 20 min session 😂😂..
He always overtook everyone safely, but the speed difference was ridiculous..
Agree re trackdays, trying to have a blast and learn how to ride the pants off my 675 getting stuck behind a 1000 is a pita. Held up but can't pass safely either. MCN trackdays maybe?
Hi Michael, great content as usual. I am looking into getting an airbag vest for road riding and would be interested in your experiences with them , for example tethered or untethered, comfort , do you still use a back protector under it. Do you use air jacket or separate vest. Any tips greatly appreciated.
Hi Neevsy, could you talk about body position differences when leaning on different types of bikes? I started out riding sports bikes (Ninja 400, '11 GSX-R600, '13 CBR600RR) and have been doing so for a few years and now I'm on a naked ('13 STR 675). I can't seem to find a body position that just feels "right" when leaning on the naked bike whereas it came quite naturally to me on a sports bike. Thanks for making these videos!
Knee down at 12:29 omg totally agree. Did the Rocket Ron Haslam Race School because I wanted to try the track but also was a bit scared :-))
Told the nice instructor I'd like to improve and get me knee down. Like you, he said to sit 1 cheek off the bike, upper body forward, elbows bent, bringing myself over the front of the bike, and put leg out a bit. That position, moving the upper body more forward and round to the side made the difference. Almost touched down, he through I had.
Next track day at Brands Hatch, the little slow hairpin, touched my knee down several times at about 35-40 mph. Body forward and round, cheek off, made the difference.
Thanks for more fun great advice.
Nicely done, mate. You’ll always remember your first time!
Another great video with so many tips and advice thanks
Glad you enjoyed it👍
Hi Neevesy. Thanks for all the awesome content and advice over the years. I had a question about Sport Touring tires (or tyres if you prefer). I currently ride a 21 Tuono V4 in the Canyons (although i probably won't ride for a while due to the terrible fires here). I ride at a brisk but manageable pace and love the recent Rosso 4s I installed and how light and agile they make the bike feel, but i think they may be overkill for my riding and i don't love getting only 3000 miles on the rear. any suggestions for sport touring tires that might get me 6k+ miles, while still having the aggressive + nimble Rosso 4 shape/performance? I know you love the SE 01s, and I was looking at the conti road attack 4 perhaps, which seem to be made for bikes like mine? thanks so much!
Thanks Michael another good one. Re Knee Down, you really should not be so modest as I remember watching a video you made on how to do that and you made it look so easy. Not that I ever managed to do it as I knew if I did the rest of the bike would follow. However I have raced a former Moto GP star ! Wife and I went out for a ride on the 1100 Pan European we owned and we got into the local lanes and got behind a biker giving it the beans so pride told me to keep up with him. Now you will know where I mean when I tell you we were coming into Edenbridge and the biker decides to turn into an industrial estate where I knew Suzuki were so I followed him to where he stopped. There were a few lads there and as the Biker took his lid off I saw it was Daryl Beatty. One of his mechanics had just built a bike and DB had taken it out for a test ride. Just as well the late Gary Taylor wasn't there as the only safety gear DB had on was his lid. But at least I have a biking claim to fame. Stay safe.
Very cool. He does riding tours in Australia now. Thanks for watching!
Hey Neevesy! Question for you. While I want to learn to ride faster, I also want to avoid hurting myself (and potentially others) and wasting thousands of pounds, via a lowside or highside on a trackday. The fear of this is definitely part of what leads to some of my pre-trackday nerves and maybe that's true for others too. It would be great to feel as much excitement about a trackday as possible knowing I've prepared as well as I can to avoid a crash. Would you be able to offer some general rules - from bike preparation to riding tips - on how to ride so as to minimise the chance of lowsiding and highsiding? Obviously you can't stop someone from running into you, but you can control how you ride and prepare - keen to hear your thoughts. (A separate question would be what gear to get to protect yourself if the worst happens, but I feel the rule of 'the best you can afford', and 'ideally an airbag suit', is probably what you'd say here, but let me know). Thanks for all your help! Harry
Thanks Michael. Well, my favourite bike to ride is my V4 Panigale Corse, I've done 25,000 miles on it, and I have an old Ferrari 348 challenge, but like you, I barely use it anymore, much prefer riding my bike. I'm 59 but just love sportsbikes and have always found the V4 Panigale pretty comfortable. I too like evening track sessions, £59 at Cadwell and it's just right for me. Great video as always, thanks.
Top man, thanks for watching 😊👍
Hi Neevesy, fairly recent subscriber so may have missed this topic in earlier posts (sorry) but would like your opinion on quickshifters please.
Trackdays, yes and riders with physical issues, yes. But to me I think they take away part of the riding experience and so never use them.
Am I potentially going to cause problems to the bike in the future for not using them?
Cheers, Ade.
Hiya Neevsey, I’m going on a road trip late May on k5 750. The plan is to go into France and base ourselves around Massif Central. Have you rode around there and if so how did you find the roads? Thanks for all the great content you bring on the weekly.
Hi mate, there are some great roads in the Cevennes region, which isn’t too far away: Marvejois, Mende, Meyrueis…that neck of the woods. 👍
Your old man had 2.7 RS ?! Mate, I feel your pain!! 😭
😩
Best car i ever had was a fiat 126, (650cc twin) called "the fridge". Not the most reliable or safest, but great fun in traffic laden Essex and at time I had Goldwing 1500 😅
Absolutely agree with everything you’ve said mate 🙌👍
Classss vid as ever 😁😎
Bingo! Thanks, mate 😊👍
@38:55 Go on Mick........spill the beans!!!!
Funnily enough I’ve had the exact same thoughts on cars as you mentioned.
Because i work from home now I sold my last car a couple of years ago (m140i) so that I could buy another bike.
Now we just have the missus’s Hyundai Kona N (mental).
Your question got me going through the memory banks re. what cars we’ve owned - made me wince:
Skoda VRS
Integra Type R
Impreza WRX
Boxster S
M140i
Etc.
Like you said, I think I’m done with fast cars on the road now - it does feel very antisocial ‘making good progress’ in a car nowadays (not sure if that’s the times that have changed or just my age 🤣).
Cant see me buying another car TBH - but I am saving up for a Van next year for trackday usage!
(Never thought I’d be excited at the prospect of buying a Vauxhall Vivaro!)
Bedford is a left-handed circuit, very fast if a little flat.
Good call, I’ve never been 😊👍
Hi Neevesy
What do you think of the evolving Supersport class now with r9, v2, rc990, and hopefully a daytona 765?
Older 4 cylinder bikes and engines were proper race red machines with purposeful chassis and agressive position and high quality parts with great reliability still. Since newer bikes are slightly milder and with more torque, how do you think they will perform against the more traiditional ninja zx636 or cbr600? How do you see the rivalry between the v2 and r9 this year since lately it has always been between the r6 and the older v2? Which one of these bikes would give the best buck for a fun track bike?
Thanks.
regards track days, buy a supermoto and do track days on cart tracks - way more economical.
Hi Neevesy, love the videos, have really been enjoying the series!
After quitting racing around 2000, being in the dirt since then, a friend got me back on the track last year. I've got an R6 in the garage now and planning to do some track days this coming summer. I look forward to learning to ride again.
I've enjoyed listening to your break down on safest/fastest cornering practice, aka the V corner. When I was racing, I rode slower bikes where it was conserve speed at all costs. But, I can picture the value and function of this strategy in the typical hairpin corner and look forward to learning it. Can you elaborate how this strategy is deployed in a faster, longer corners where you might be on the side of the tire for many seconds? Would the line be to minimize that time on the side by adjusting your entry/exit? Or, is it something else? I can't quite connect how to do the V in those longer corners.
Thanks kindly,
Aaron
such a gentleman
Thank you, sir!
Hi neevesy, always waiting for your next vid these days, best thing on RUclips.
I enjoy listening to the tips and trying to understand them to try them out and improve my riding. My question is, if braking correctly (trail braking etc) will I have more grip while cornering if I have a closed throttle with no brakes, or if I was using the front brake (which I think would load the tire and push it into the road for more grip in some situations).
And which is best for an unexpected corner or tightening/closing corner. I 'think' I'm right in thinking it will turn faster while using the front brake?
This is a road riding question by the way. Thanks a lot 👍
S
Hi neevesy, I found the answer in your cornering tips video from 11 months ago. A video I had already watched 🤦. Which is why I probably thought I knew some of the answer. So I believe it will turn faster with a bit of front brake. Thanks for all the tips , looking forward to the next 👍 cheers 🍻
Hi Neevsey. Your comments on cars rang so true with me. I use to enjoy cars but ever since I've been riding motorcycles, cars have taken a back seat for the reasons you mentioned. I have considered selling one car to replace it with a scooter. The only concern I have is having to ride in the snow, ice and strong winds. How do you deal with this, and what advice can you offer for riding in adverse weather conditions? Regards, Darryl.
Dunno about you mate but I feel like a caged bird in a car these days. Couldnt agree more with your comments, back in the day cars were fun but with cops and traffic nowadays.nah, even in the snow Id rather take two wheels.sold my van 4 bikes ready to go depending on weather and so on.Love the channel and stories. Thank you.
Cheers mate. Thanks for watching 😊👍
you need a car with character for weekends and evening drives - bought a c63 and loving it
Hey Neevsey. By when can we expect to see a 2025 superbike shootout? Really excited to see how the new v4s and the updated s1000rr and fireblade stack up against each other, particularly on track.
Hi mate. It's all down to bike availability...and weather. Hopefully we'll do something in the Spring!
I currently ride a Hypermotard 1100, however, my ideal weekend bike is the Ducati 1098S Streetfighter. Hard to go past that torque, sound and grin factor. How would it stack up against the new Honda Hornet SP? Similar horsepower numbers, both nakeds. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Ha! I also remember my first kneedown and it was fun. I also remember my first wheelie, that was less fun.
🤦🏻♂️
Me too. 12 June 2005, Turn 2 at Barber Motorsports Park, in the second session after lunch. Not that I'm keeping track or anything, but it was my first track weekend.
My first (and only) big wheelie was a total accident and I still hate them.
My ideal track day bike is any that I can afford 😂
Do you have any advice for motorcycling when you have young children. Concerns are staying safe but also inadverently tempting them into a high risk hobby in the future. I have a 2017 MT10 and 2019 Street Triple but ride quite sensibly on the roads following some IAMs training
Feel absolutely the same in regards to overtaking in a car, I guess it’s an age thing!
It seems to take an age getting past only for the guy you past to pull up behind you in the next village and you don’t want to look in your rear view in case you make eye contact.
At least on a bike most times your by and gone.
Exactly 😄
Hey neevesy, I have a question on tire wear. I have a 22 MV Brutale 800, street bike only with mountain roads, and I am noticing the rear I'm using more of the tire but the front it's like I'm barely using it: it looks like about 1.5-2 inches of completely unused tire vs the rear very little unused. I'm not trying to street rossi but rather curious if it's a PSI issue or a characteristic of riding style. Pirelli Rosso 4s, 32F 38R (swingarm specs). On my ninja 400 the wear is usually even front and rear, street and track, so a little confused here.
Baglux Tank Cover Harness & Tank Bag were Very Popular in the 90s
For Touring on SportsBikes
Colour Matched & Very Practical
Don't Know if they are Still Going?
Good work, thank you
Thank you too!
The biggest problem I foresee with trackday groups being split up by bike/power is you end up with the same problem (massive speed differential) from a different source: individual rider skill. Theoretically in the advanced group the guys on slower bikes can get around the guys on faster bikes in the corners because they are all predictable and skilled enough to get around the track safely. There are some providers that don't allow you to sign up for the advanced group without an endorsement to ensure that everyone is skilled enough to be there, but not all orgs do that. Most will let anyone sign up for intermediate without any kind of endorsement, so there are a lot of slow guys with fast bikes out there, like me. I don't have a good solution either though, short of splitting into 9 groups based on bike _and_ skill level and every group only getting 2 or 3 10-minute sessions per day, which is also horrible, due to costing so much.
I've also seen the exact same thing you're describing with premium track days in the US. When I go to my local track (Hallett, outside Tulsa, OK), it's usually not sold out. It's generally pretty full, but not like it was 10 or 20 years ago. Meanwhile, when I went to COTA last year, that place was absolutely packed, even at $550 per day. I've never seen that many fluid leaks in one place due to everyone with a Ducati showing up. And I can't really blame them. Where else can they actually use their 200+ bhp fire-breathing Panigale's full power for more than a moment, before almost coming to a complete stop at the end of the straight and blocking the skilled riders in the group.
Hi, on the salt issue I was told that in Germany they use a substitute using urine? It has excellent dicing affects, and better for the environment,and don't rot metal.. I might have received the biggest wind up, but it sounded believable.. Great videos..
Thanks mate. Sounds odd, but you never know!
Someone's taking the piss...
@@neevesybikes I know... Apparently they recycle urine from cattle, granulise it with other materials.. Urine has a low freezing point??
I used to carry a tank bag in my long trips all the time, but not anymore. It's absolutely tiring to remove it every time I need to refuel. Last long trip I did was 1800km in 2 days. That's about 9 times to refuel (about every 200km). I can't imagine having to remove the bag so often. These days I carry a leg pouch for my documents and soft bags and waterproof duffel bag on the passenger seat.
As for the salt in the road, I think it's a bit counter intuitive, but if you wash the bike all the time it's worse. The water jet will carry the salt into all the hidden places. I think it's better to protect it with a special product before the winter riding and only wash it rarely if ever and re-apply the protection if you do. The bike will look terrible, but I think it'll have less rust.
Great vid as usual thanks. How would you rate first knee down with other life experiences?
Probably the best!
@@neevesybikes Classic!!
Hi Neevsey, great video. What are your thoughts on covering the front brake? I tend to do it most of the time as you never know what's going to happen on these ever increasing busy roads.
@@LeeTillbury it’s a good idea. I do it 100% of the time.
@@neevesybikesIt should be taught as the only way to ride to all new riders in my opinion.
You forget that a lot of these slow riders on liter bikes are afraid to open the throttle. Yeah, they have the power, but I'm still passing them on the straights and out braking them because they can't use the liter bike's engine. They only crack open the throttle to 120 mph and have no idea how to late brake into the corners.
I grew up on cars, max power era, mid 90s boy racer. Found bikes in my late 30s but still love my cars. Got a sierra cosworth 400hp, 2 x cavaliers with saab turbo engine's running 350hp and a 500hp audi rs4. Theyre great fun and take me back to my youth but power wise dont touch my cbr1000rr road bike or s1000rr track bike.
Neeves I’m a big believer in the rear brake. Is there someone that makes a scooter style brake? I have a RaceTorx on my S1000 but would prefer a scooter style set up.
Not sure to be honest. I think the ones on race bikes are home made. Would be great to try!
Do you mean a rear brake lever mounted on the left bar? If so, I saw a new Indian which had one fitted (at the dealers in Chesterfield) for a disabled customer. It was a short lever underneath the clutch lever. I have no idea if it was a kit or cobbled together by the mechanic. It didn’t look out of place which is an achievement in itself what with Indians being works of art
10.53...its ok for you known racer guys, but at 67 I need a slim chicken strip just to say "honest guys I'm still pretty quick" hahaha, sad I know 🙄
👍
Aramid (Kevlar) is probably the word you were looking for
It came into my brain as soon as I’d switched the camera off! 😊👍
@@neevesybikes which riding jeans do you use? After trying a number of brands, I've settled on Hoods jeans and I am extremely impressed with them. I used to ride every day (now, just a couple or so times a week) and the Hoods jeans have so far lasted 8 years and close to 60,000 miles! They are starting to show signs of use... I'll get another pair next time I'm in the UK.
I've been wearing Bull-It jeans for a good few years now and they're excellent. Really hard wearing and nice balance between being sturdy, but not too bulky.
An interesting tip for protecting your bike during winter riding is to clean it thoroughly, let it dry completely, and then apply a protective coating like ACF50. After that, you can ride through bad weather without the need to wash it again for weeks, if not months. What happens is that road grime and dirt settle on the bike's parts, forming a protective layer against salt and moisture. This natural shield helps prevent corrosion while you ride in harsh conditions. Just be sure to inspect the bike periodically for any issues, especially with components like the chain and brakes.
Even better advice, don’t ride in winter!😮
Anyone know of evening track days in the states? I can't think of any orgs that run late. Neevesy - the way you describe them, it sounds divine... lol.
Great Chanel @neevesybikes You had a really good podcast top tip with Oxley Bom MotoGP podcast which is really good. Is there any great WSBK podcast you would suggest? Like both MotoGP and WSBK, but actually find WSBK and World SSP even more enjoyable and interesting.
Greg Haines does a good one. He's on the ground at every race and gets the good gossip!
@ thanks will definitely check that out👍. Continue to do your great content 🙌
Supernaked all day long. the only Bike I really need (I am considering a supermoto as a toy) But my S1000R is the perfect Motorcycle for me.
$5000nz k5 1000 track bike with a spare set if wheels.. metzler td slicks 6 hole track days & should see the summer out .. 20ltrs for the day & oil change every 2nd day $? .. resale value $? .. im no club racer but have a ball .. $4000 k7 1000 road bike 💕 .. $4k 01 k1-750.. $3k 01 Falco .. mint $4k 01yzf1000 thunderace.. loooove riding them all.. after 35yrs off bikes.. retired💕💕
GSX-R750 is the perfect bike. I can do everything on it. We can still buy new ones in Canada.
Nice choice. You’re lucky over there!
This makes me feel better about my humongous chicken strips
@@Itsdandaney love the chicken strip! 😊👍
Not really bothered about cars but you can’t get two dogs on a TMax
You gotta go slower to go faster. How many times have we heard racers say they felt slow but actually were faster.
How to afford a bike? Ditch the car.
RS660 is the answer If you want to get thrills without the lunacy of a 1000, I have mine with Ohlins fro t and back with sticky tires and it Checks all the Boxes!
Now that sounds good!
Hello Neevesy, like everyone I keep watching due to the quality content. Thanks for all the hard work!. I have a question that'll turn into a two part epic.
I live in Australia but I have a second bike kept in a relo's garage in the UK for my winter (your summer) travels. With this bike I have had three amazing adventures across Europe - actually only the bits of Europe that have mountains, good food & good coffee - all in excess of 10,000 miles each time. Seen many great sights. But do you know what I never really see? UK registered motorcycles. Why don't UK riders get out into Europe and ride? Last summer I saw a group of eight UK registered bikes in the Cevennes (great roads there) they turned out to be Australians touring on rental bikes!
Second part may well be the answer to the first, do you think that the general moto-press like MCN & RUclipsr crowd always creating content with the latest high dollar bikes is an inhibitor to folk actually getting on a bike & riding it somewhere? Like you I prefer to tour on sportsbikes so my UK/Europe is a 2000 Triumph TT600. Cost me 2 grand in Pommy Pounds & has needed nothing but tyres & servicing in the 37,000 miles I have put on it. If I had bought a R1300GS or MultiStrudel V$ or a KTM 1390 SuperDuke then I wouldn't have had the money to do those trips. Is this the problem? Folk too tied up in that peculiar PCP finance thing you lot have with silly milage caps, is that it? Thoughts? Cheers.
Hi Neevesy, happy new year. I religiously watch all your videos every week.
Do you still recommend V lines with smaller capacity bikes ? The only running motorcycle left in my garage at the moment is my old trusty 2003 Ducati 620 Monster. Its personnal value overcome its financial value, so it’s a keeper. But if I use V line with it I just get stuck into corner because it lacks power and grunt to get out of bends easily. In my opinion, the only way to keep the momentun its « mighty » 60 hp gives you, is to use flowings U lines. Which, you’re right, put you more at risk on public road in case of lack of grip or visibility.
If I’m honest I think this bike is particulary tricky to ride at a decent pace (which is part of why I love it). Because you have to be very precise with everything, not only lines. Due to its V twin configuration it has a fair bit of engine braking. If you approach a corner too low in gear, your momentun completly vanish. And you can’t compensate with any grunt to save your exit. I had a Supersport 939 in addition with the Monster for a few years (had to sell it when my daughter was born). And it was way easier to ride properly than the Monster. This reflexion lead me to a question that might sound a bit strange : are bigger capacity bikes safer ? I’m not saying that everyone should start their bike journey with a 200+ hp superbike. But from my experience, a 120 ish hp motorcycle is easier and safer than one with half this output. Cheers, Victor.
GSX-R750 is the perfect bike. I can do everything on it. We can still buy new ones in Canada.